CNN Blacks in America Part 1 – 2009

Here we go again. I could barely stomach this much-hyped show. It could be due to my experiences with the show last year, but honestly I did hope that they would come a little better, but nope once again true to form Soledad and CNN have no idea what the hell being Black in America is all about. Here’s my take on the latest minstrel.

1. Pre-Show – I’m tired of hearing about Skip Gates and here’s why. He’s walking around saying this could happen to any black man in America, no shit, where have you been?? The issue is it wouldn’t have happened to many of us and here’s the reason why. Most of us know when approached by poe-poe we know number 1) raise your hands to show you don’t have any weapons and number 2) speak in a non-threatening, non-hostile manner; from what I gather Skip didn’t following any of these rules. Let’s face it Skip may have been upset for a few reasons and rightly so, 1) he locked himself out, 2) his ass-hole neighbor doesn’t know who he is and 3) Police are coming into his house like he’s the criminal. I would be upset too yet I know from being Black in America (ha) that whenever I’m approached I have to respond differently, that’s just the way it is! It is unfair but guess what folks, “it is what it is.” Those are the real issues of being Black in America. I’m not afforded the same liberties as any white person. Skip is walking around and boasting as if he were beat up, like someone on my twitter said, “Skip acting like he in a Birmingham jail” (LOL). I for one never side with cops, there the biggest gang out here. Yet for some reason I could see Skip catching a bit of a tude and law enforcement just wasn’t having it. Notice how the cop refuses to apologize, he is sticking with his story. Skip is advertising like he is now damaged goods, he does go on to say “I’m Henry Louis Gates and it happened to me” My response is so fucking what, it’s happened to all of us, why are you any different, cause you pal around with Oprah and told her about her family history as well as other celebs. Yes, your contribution to our culture is astounding, but Mr. Gates, you’re still Black in America and now you really know there’s more work to be done! So stop whining and focus your research on the true heart of being Black in America!

2) Bushwick and Chris Rock’s wife – OMG – Where do I begin? First they show the broken down PJs. Is that news to any of us, white people included, I mean come on. Little sister has no enunciation, the teenage boy who is no bigger than 5′7 wants to be an NBA player, no surprise there, the other teen who can’t speak to interview for the trip to Africa. OK, I was done. Why are these kids like this? Are they lazy, just born stupid, will never know anything? The answer to all these questions are NOT!!! The answer is these kids live in a condition that constantly denies them access to anything that can uplift them. There are more drug treatment programs in Bushwick, Brooklyn than there are mentoring programs. The schools are dilapidated, the teachers could care less (maybe not all of them), the food in the area is not fresh; you can get a bag of weed quicker than you get a fresh apple. And yet these kids are suppose succeed. I have faith that despite their circumstances they will, after-all I’m a product! But that still doesn’t depict being Black in America, it may depict being a hostage to inequality, but Soledad once again you and CNN are not giving the real reason. I kid you not I swore they were going to show a slave cabin, that ’s how destitute they make us look. Yes it is our reality, but both white and Black America need to know “why” and then work on finding the solution. The solution is clearly not Chris Rock’s wife. Sending these kids to Africa to see how poor Africans live, what is that suppose to give them some newfound respect for their neighborhood?? Fact is those kids in Bushwick are OUR Africa! Help them! A trip! They need more than a trip, they need a long sustaining solution that can help them and thrive into their descendants.

3) MLT – How much is this program? I admire the brother starting this. I work in Corporate America and that glass ceiling is hard as shit to crack! Yet once again, we’re missing the “whys”. Let’s talk about discriminative practices in Corporate America. Going through a program like this is not going to guarantee you a path to CEOism. These barriers are hard to break, their traditional, there’s a lot of my daddy knows your daddy and so many other factors that deny us. Not once was the cultural clash in Corporate America mentioned. For instance, I’ve been to events where sushi is served. Maybe my palettes are not as refined but this Blacktina only eats cooked fish. Wait I’ll take it way back give me some whitings and it’s on (LOL). Funny as this may be my refusal to something as minor as sushi is a direct correlation to our differences and it plays out big time. There’s so much more; I can’t say I met so and so on the tennis court, or we attended boarding school together in Switzerland. Once again the cultural clashes in Corporate America are so vast that you’re not even getting near the glass ceiling. Folks I don’t mean to sound doom and gloom, I’m just giving reality. Without a doubt some of us will have the opportunity to succeed. However, this show is telling us we can get this if we commit to a program such as this when in reality there are so many variables that do control the management of our progression.

Part 2 is on tonight, can’t promise I’ll watch. I may try to get some tidbits in. I’m just not sure if my blood pressure can handle CNN’s portrayal, we’ll see manana.

Hello My Name is Blacktina and I’m a Wise Latina Woman!

Sonia Sotomayor - A Wise Latina Woman

HA in your face white supremacy! Hay mi hermana Sonia (translation – Oh my sister Sonia) what you had to endure this past week during your confirmation hearings all because you proudly referenced in a speech the phrase “Wise Latina Woman.” Incredibly they had nothing else on you. You were never on drugs, didn’t have a teenage a pregnancy, was never a stripper, didn’t have 5 baby daddys; you know who’s your Mommy and Papi, no crazy family secrets, NADA, NOTHING, ZILCH!!! You my darling did not fit the typical Bronx Puerto Rican stereotype that this country expects. All they can say was you said “Wise Latina Woman” and the only thing they could do was try to translate that phrase and refer to it as your confession of being a racist, reverse racism, I might add! Oh white supremacy, you’re getting stale. Even for you this is soooo far fetched.

I am obsessed at the condemnation of this comment and why it is being viewed as a negative phrase. Is it because it is that odd that the words “Wise” and “Latina” are mentioned in the same breath? Or is it because when the word “Latina/Latino” is mentioned its hardly met with any positive inference and this time it wasn’t? I kind of believe the later is what really pissed off modern white supremacy. For centuries, I’m not going years, cause you see this has been going on for way to long, if you’re non-white it’s OK to refer to you as anything else as long as it opposes positive references. Look at the evening newscasts, for years whenever there was a crime, the description of blacks and latinos were accurately depicted. If it were a white person, you just heard the word “man or woman”. I always felt the reason for these inconsistencies were whites are the majority race (so they say), therefore it is automatic when referring to the human race the white person is automatically assumed. So when Sonia went off in public and defied how the race should be mentioned in their eyes all hell broke loose. Remember they have ALWAYS had the luxury of defining us the way they want to; anything in opposition is challenged by the word they claim to hate the most, yet they practice it the most and that’s RACISM!

White people love to defend themselves as they oppose affirmative action and statements like the one made by Sonia. They love to say “we” can get past the racism if you do. Bullshit, your Daddy was racist, your Granddaddy was one and guess what it’s ingrained and you are one too. How can we get over it, when YOU’RE still on it! Sonia was not being a racist and I’m not defending her because I’m a blacktina, however, I can understand the importance of imaging yourself in a positive light. Let me briefly try to attempt to explain to white America how Sonia’s comment was not a diss to you but rather an empowerment for my race.

Sonia and like the rest of us minorities (God I hate that term) MUST ALWAYS state our ethnicity as we achieve greatness. When your race is normally associated with all the vileness of society (i.e. higher incarceration rates, teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, broken homes, etc.) it then becomes essential to advertise when one of us does achieve something positive. We are a race that is trying to break cycles. We can no longer live mediocre, it’s just tiring. We must move forward, but sometimes the only way to do so is to be inspired. Sonia has inspired so many blacks and latinos by her upbringing and her overcoming of challenges which has led her to place where she stands today. Our babies need this nourishment and it our responsibility as parents biological or not to feed our babies with positive reinforcement. We can’t rely on “You” to do it. History has shown that you won’t and you never will as evident by your recent comments condemning Sonia. Just look at the Pat Buchanon’s, Bill O’Reilly’s and Rush Limbaugh’s, I purposely use them in a plural form because there are so many like them. As long as they exist we as a minority sector in this country MUST never be ashamed of our accomplishments. To quote Marianne Williamson, “Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” Please take this to heart, as we publicized who we are and how great we are, we are giving permission to others to do the same! That’s Powerful!!! Always remember they use to stop us from reading, they can’t stop us no more. Slander is trash and dies down easily, but the sharing of your accomplishments to your people will NEVER deteriorate as easily.

Lastly, the other reason why we MUST always advertise our accomplishments is we need to eliminate the expectations you have of us. For example, just the other day I was passing by an exclusive high rise apartment building in the city. As I looked into the lobby window I saw a black woman cleaning and a white man had stepped off the elevator. I noticed as he stepped off she diligently picked her pep as she was changing a trash bag. He passed by her without any notice in a nonchalant manner. This man was not surprise to see this woman doing this type of work. You can tell by his stride and her actions that they were both accustomed to being in these roles. This is a perfect example of how we have to change how we are viewed; we can only do this by promoting ourselves in a positive light.

Sonia’s actions were based on the above scenarios whether she knew it or not. We come from a race of hardships coupled with ingenuity. When we reference our race to our accomplishment we are essentially sending signals, actions reminiscent of our enslaved ancestors who sent signals to protect and warn. Our modern day signals do protect and warn but also encourage, inspire, uplift, inform, defy propaganda, enlighten, etc. all those variables that are constantly denied to us.

So white America you want us to stop shouting from the rooftops and call it reverse discrimination. Well Chico, you go ahead and keep doing what you do! We on the other hand will never STOP! We have bigger fish to fry and for once your majority will NOT CONTROL this minority!

Peace Out,
Blacktina
A Wise Latina Woman

Why Do People Like to Play God?

The belief of a Jehovah Witness is that only one God, Jehovah him/her self is the only person, or thing than can be idolized. Being a Catholic and trust me not a practicing one, there are other beliefs of this religion (JW) that I don’t agree with. However, their dedication to idolize one true God is one that I wholeheartedly support, especially when dealing with those who think their on par with the almighty. This article is not about religion though it started out that way but about those who obtain power and become obsessed with the likes of the “yesses” (pronounced Yes-ses. Plural for yes, I made it up

The “yesses” are those who would do anything for a person they perceive as having some sort of power. In corporate America the “god” like personas are the executives, VPs, managing partners, etc. These individuals with these titles are regarded as the second coming of Christ. The sad thing is they know it and will capitalize on it as much as they can. The even sadder part is the individuals that cater to them while giving up their integrity and soul. Being in corporate America for 22+ years I somewhat think I’ve seen it all. I say somewhat because I’m sure there’s more to come. What’s sparking me to write this article is a particular instance that proved these “top notch” people are not God and if you’re a “yesses” you should watch who you obsessively cater to.

Recently the managing partner of my firm, which is the equivalent of a CEO, abruptly resigned and took employment at a competitor firm. Oh and here’s the killer he also took his clients and anywhere between 5-10 junior and senior associates. In the legal world this is a serious blow. The business model in a law firm is quite simplistic. You have clients, they pay; the firm stays afloat. If you lose clients, Houston there’s a problem and right now my firm is in Houston mode. The ironic part of this whole situation is the faces of those who feel betrayed, not because he left but because they kissed his ass so much. They’re in shocked that he left them and didn’t even say good-bye.

This man was like God to these yesses. When he came into the office everyone got quiet. People said hello to him and he wouldn’t respond and guess what that was OK; he’s Mr. Big Shot he doesn’t have to speak. Whenever he called someone they came running. If he so happened to pay a compliment the yesses ran with it. If he were upset the yesses were ready to give up their first born to make him happy. I recall a time in which I had to tell someone who was getting on my case about him to calm down. This person was literally having a breakdown and citing that the situation was the worst thing that could have happened in the world. I reminded her that Hurricane Katrina was a tragedy; not having access to his Outlook mailbox doesn’t constitute a world disaster, jeez.

The problem the yesses now face with treating this man like God is that they treated everyone else like shit including those second in command. I’m sure by now you can guess what happened. The second in command is now in command and these yesses are going crazy trying to rectify themselves. In my opinion it’s too late. This guy knows bullshit when it’s in front of him. There’s no way these yesses are going to get past him. Memory can be an asset but to some it’s a hell of a liability. See, you should never idolize or praise blind allegiance to any “man”. Everyone is human and in the words of Jamie Foxx’s character Wanda, “they put their underwear on one leg at a time just like me”. The only aspect of life that should be worshipped is God. I’m not trying to get religious but it is true that “he” would never leave you. The yesses are experiencing what they should of known all along “man” has choices; meaning he can get up and go without any loyalty to you. God on the other hand doesn’t operate that way and to treat someone with the same loyalty you would to the Lord is just sickening.

I’m not sure if these yesses are programmed this way or if there are self-esteem issues and frankly I don’t care. The only part that affects me is I do believe others expect me to behave in the same manner and I can’t. This is when I become a Jehovah Witness. I can’t for the life of me kiss somebody’s ass. If I have work to do I’ll do it, even with a smile. But I can’t tolerate someone who can’t even convey simple day-to-day pleasantries, who barks orders and who can see you in public and act as if they’ve never seen you before. See with that type of bullshit I can’t kiss nobody’s ass. Sorry it’s just not for me.

With the departure of this individual I am a little saddened for the state of my firm; after-all it does affect my primary income. However, the look on the faces of the yesses is just priceless. F*ck the Master card commercials this took the cake (LOL). Personally I hope a lot of lessons are learned though I doubt they will be. I for one am happy that I am true to the human species. We are equal and I will treat you as you treat me. As the saying in the bible goes, “do onto to others as they do onto you”. I don’t know about the rest of you but if you are a yesses I hope you read your bible and take heave. Man is ONLY Man and nothing more!

Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace

These very words that are mentioned in wedding ceremonies hold so true when confronting antics within corporate America or at least that’s the wish of many of our so-called colleagues.

After 22 years in corporate America you would think by now I would be use to the “watch what you say”, “don’t say it”, “watch your tone” or the best of them all “just be quiet.” I for one have always had a problem with all these particular responses to issues. According to most of my Caucasian colleagues I get the impression that these responses refer to hostility, aggressiveness and lack of teamwork, which is always a red flag. However, I wonder why can’t they just be viewed a valued opinions, which is what most of their responses are viewed as??

Recently and once again I don’t why I’m amazed but I came across a situation where I felt it necessary to defend myself. As many of you know I’m currently employed within the technology sector. And as I said many of times the celebrity of technology positions are not what they use to be. Here’s the scenario, the company that employs me was upgrading its fax software. A massive email was sent out via the technology group, plus a training schedule and updates. It turned out the upgrade did not apply that morning but later on during the afternoon. A confirmation email had been sent to all users from the vendor stating the upgrade has taken change and their fax numbers have been ported over. Now, remember the communication that had been previously sent. Once the vendor sent out their communication I started to receive a flurry of emails asking me what is going on? Is this spam mail? What’s happening to the current program, etc. etc.? The most famous of these emails came from Human Resources with my boss cc’d informing me that I need better communication skills. She was what I would deemed, hostile (oops that’s one for me ☺). Basically her email stated “what is all of this and how come no one was communicated?” She also went on to give me some suggestions so I can avoid future mishaps as this.

I was pisst. I can’t even try to dress that up, but I did compose myself. I responded to her hostile email with the following:

1) Attachments of the emails previously sent
2) The training schedule
3) Updates

I also went on tell her that maybe she should send some communication stating, it’s the users personal responsibility to pay attention to emails from the technology group. Obviously all the users including her did not! She did not immediately respond directly to me, but contacted my boss who was also cc’d on the emails.

Here’s what happened next. For the sake of keeping this as true as possible, I’m going to write this as in screenplay format ☺

Scene 1 – Blacktina is confronted by her boss.

Crazy White Boss: Blacktina OMG what are you doing?
Blacktina: What are you talking about?
Crazy White Boss: The email you sent to HR. That wasn’t necessary.
Blacktina: Why not? I’m being told I didn’t communicate in which I did and they needed to know that communication had been sent.
Crazy White Boss: Blacktina it doesn’t matter if communication had been sent or not. It matters that we get on the ball with it now.

Scene 2 – While Blacktina holds her breath and thanks God for the mute button.

Blacktina: First of all we’re on the ball with this and have always been. Secondly if the communication doesn’t matter then why am I being called on it?
Crazy White Boss: You know HR they always have something to say.
Blacktina: Yes I know. The problem is they’ll have something to say on my review. And I do have the right to defend myself when I’m being told I didn’t do my job.
Crazy White Boss: Yes Blacktina, but it’s not a big deal.
Blacktina: If so then why are you calling me?
Crazy White Boss: I have to go, just be careful on what you send out.

Again I don’t know why I’m amazed. I’m basically suppose to accept an accusation and never ever defend myself and when I do I’m reprimanded. I’ve now been reprimanded for two things that I have done nothing wrong. Maybe someone can explain to me what should I have done?

There are so many layers of variances that people of color have to deal with in corporate America. Many think racism is as simple as black and white but as we all know it’s not that simple. I often hear and read comments how Blacks need to get over what happened 200+ years ago, especially when we talk about reparations. I say, why don’t YOU get over it. See simple crap like what I just experienced is indeed racism. And you may say No it’s not. But check this out if a white person would of responded the way I did, there’s no doubt that they would have been commended, perhaps their suggestion would have been taken into consideration. When I do it or any other person of color it’s perceived as hostile, petty and unnecessary. Some may think I may be sensitive but when I think about it I was called to the carpet twice in less than an hour for no error on my part. Sensitive is the least of my worries. I have to learn so I’m told how to work around these situations. For an educated degreed woman this is one puzzle I am not sure how to solve, nor do I think I want to. If anybody has any suggestions, kindly let me know. Other than that for all the peeps of color hang in there. In the words of MJ “You are not alone.”

Michael

Like everyone in the entire world I was overwhelmed with great sadness on the passing of Michael Jackson. Phone calls came through, text messages, my Mom was crying, my husband was crying, it was insane. You would of thought we lost a family member, but in a way we did…. Although I didn’t know Mike personally, I personally know his music. He is actually the real first indication of music that I can remember.

As early as 5 years old I recall my parents playing the ABC album I think that’s what it was called. The album cover was a two fold and I distinctly remember Bill Cosby doing some voice over work. I remember how my brother, cousin and I would create dance steps to Dance Machine. Oh and let’s not forget the famous Christmas album. 30 plus years later I’m still playing that album something now my 11 year old daughter is accustomed too. I remember when Mike and his brothers were growing up and left Motown to join CBS Records and produced the album with the hit single “Enjoy Yourself”. Michael Jackson and his brothers gave me my first rhythm to music. I was saddened not because I’m a deranged fan but because Mike was my definition of music. I grew up with him; regardless of blood ties he was a family member. He was like my distant impactful “music” brother. He was there for the good times, the bad times and the growing up times. Mike has been everywhere in my life and that I believe is a space usually reserve for family members, which is what Mike is to me.

Over the years as with any family member I did have my issues with Mike, dare I say I did abandon him for a period of time. Once Thriller came out I knew my brother when a bit astray. Although I loved some of the records on the album namely Lady in my Life, PYT and You Got to be Starting Something, I was not “thrilled” with Billy Jean, Beat it or the title track Thriller, these were the records that really catapulted and set Michael off into another world. A world of acceptance by everyone in which I felt my brother had no time for me or those like me who lived in the inner city. As much as everyone in the ghetto who grew up with Mike is upset, there’s no denying that Thriller or the Bad album were not “our” kind of music. As much as I loved Mike I just knew my brother had changed. He no longer was just a part of my family but a part of a universal family. Now looking back I think I was being selfish about his endeavors to globally branch off musically. These are the times I found myself angry with Mike. I was particularly displeased at his own self-hatred of his image. It’s one thing to get weaves or do some minor cosmetic surgery but when you bleach your skin and totally alter your appearance it’s just sickening.

Being a living legendary pop icon I don’t think Mike realized the powerful message he conveyed when he turned white on purpose. Yes I know there were the vertiligo reports but damm if that were true Mike should be famous for being the first man to naturally turn white. Most vertiligo cases involve blotches of white skin and not your average Caucasian tone. It usually resembles an open wound that’s in the process of healing after the scab has eroded. Mike’s complexion was an unnatural white. Regardless of what some people think if you have enough money you can do anything and Mike proved that is so true! Diana Ross had also bleached her skin but she stopped somewhere in the middle. I know the reports of Joe Jackson calling him ugly as well as the dreadful transition years from cute child star to adolescent can be daunting, just ask Gary Coleman. I remember when the Enjoy Yourself single came out and my cousins saying he wasn’t cute anymore. I’m sure all these factors played a role in Michael’s transition but damm I think personally he could of stopped at the very least when we can clearly see the most drastic change during the Bad album. But as we all know he didn’t. I thought it ironic for him to make a song called Black and White and the lyrics stated it didn’t matter when it was clear that it did matter to Mike. In his view it was apparent that “White” is right. Those actions were so powerful. As a woman of color I was down right pisst off with Mike. I felt he abandoned us and he sent a message to the world how Black was so horrid! But as a typical family member when trouble looms they come back and we forgive.

During Mike’s first molestation trial, he was on all the Black TV. This was the first time in my life I had seen Mike on the NAACP awards not to mention his appearance on the Soul Train music awards. Mike hadn’t been on Soul Train since he danced with his brothers. Oh, and the album out at the time was Dangerous. Finally my brother was coming back to his senses. Remember the Time was the hit single along with a number of other singles that grooved throughout our households. Mike was back, he was jamming and he had our full support. You knew how Black works we always got your Back!! After all this was over, my brother went away again. He married Lisa Marie Presley then divorced her and then married the most homeliest white woman in the world, Debbie Rowe. Again I thought to myself there goes Mike wanting to be white again. I was not prepared for what was next, the children.

Mike’s children look nothing like him pre-surgery which is a clear indication these aren’t his biological children, but perhaps children conceived by two white parents and then claimed by Mike. Most bi-racial children have some visible trait of both races. Even if one child came out looking all white the other may not. Mike’s kids are blond, blue-eyed and as white as the ivory snow. And then he goes to make a 3rd child by a surrogate who is obviously white, though he denied it. As I loved my brother I hated his attack on our self-image. As much as we claim him to be a black man as the best entertainer of all time, the truth is Michael did not want to be black, doesn’t mean he did not want to be my brother, but he just didn’t like the color. It’s as simple as that!

Mike, I Love You and forgive you. You were a conflicted, complicated genius. No matter what issues you had you were the BEST at what you did and that was entertain. Elvis, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, etc. can’t touch you. You will go in history as the Beethoven of our time. I am sorry that you had to battle any demons and never had a chance to know someone who truly really loved you and knew you, how could they, when you never had the chance to know who you really were? Rest in Peace for the world and their horrors can’t touch you now.

Love,
Blacktina